Subject Descriptions

1. Social and Global Contexts

904.001: INTRODUCTION TO RECREATION, LEISURE, SPORT AND TOURISM
An overview of the global tourism industry exploring the drivers of global tourism and adventure tourism, their origins, the New Zealand tourism industry today and its position within the global marketplace.

904.002: ADVENTURE TOURISM AND ECOTOURISM
Provides an understanding of the foundations that help define ecotourism and adventure tourism, the issues surrounding the growing global interest in ecotourism and adventure tourism, and the similarities, differences and crossover between the two industry sectors.

904.003: TOURIST BEHAVIOUR
An introduction to tourist behaviour including indicators of tourist wants, needs, desires and motivations, and segmentation of tourist typologies into demographic and psychographic categories. Considers the concept of tourist typologies, the relationship between tourist behaviour and destination life cycles and looks indepth at the New Zealand tourism industry and the tourism / tourist markets it operates within.

2. Business Management

904.004: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGY
Examines the financial, legal and structural aspects of setting up and running a small business, including researching a new business venture and writing and presenting a business proposal. Topics include the benefits of a good business plan, unique aspects of a "green" business plan, situational analysis, competitive analysis, market analysis, government regulations, applications for funding and proposal writing and presentation.

904.005: TOURISM MARKETING
An introduction to the fundamentals of marketing for the tourism industry, including the concept of marketing, the history of marketing, marketing in relation to tourism, the basic building blocks of good marketing (such as market research, segmentation, branding, advertising) and the development of a marketing plan.

904.006: TECHNOLOGY IN ADVENTURE TOURISM
An in-depth look at technological applications for the adventure tourism industry eg. Computer applications, web design, video editing, use of GPS and radio communications.

904.007: FINANCIAL PLANNING AND ANALYSIS
An introduction to the fundamentals of financial planning and analysis with a particular focus on feasibility studies, forecasting and financial planning requirements for small business start-up.

904.008: MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING
Operational information and skills relevant to planning, controlling and evaluating accounting systems.

904.009: ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR AND HUMAN RESOURCES
Examines human behaviour in organisations, strategies for managing human resources and an examination of the link between effective resource practices and the achievement of organisational goals.

904.010: SERVICE QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Develops interpersonal and technical skills to provide a professional and satisfying customer experience. Topics include leadership, human relations, customer service skills and practical experience with reservation systems.

3. Communication Skills

904.011: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Covers the knowledge, skills and attributes required for effective workplace communication. Develops proficiency in the composition and delivery of oral and written business communication and encourages the development of communication skills for effective performance at management level in the workplace.

904.012: GROUP AND SELF MANAGEMENT PROCESSES
Explores interpersonal leadership and management skills, and examines these in working groups through goal setting, establishing group norms, exploring roles and understanding the management of decision making and problem solving processes. Topics include structuring and managing group experiences in the outdoors, leadership, conflict management methods and processes, leadership theory / styles and roles and responsibilities in an adventure tourism workplace environment.

904.013: CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Explores diversity in the workplace and examines verbal and nonverbal differences in cross-cultural communication. Managers need to become leaders adept at dealing with people from all walks of life and different cultures.

4. Operational Management

904.014: OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
Introduces the operation of an adventure tourism business from a managerial perspective. Provides an overview of the day to day tasks, roles and responsibilities of an adventure tourism operations manager, such as staffing, product knowledge and services, weather, equipment and transport issues.

904.015: RISK MANAGEMENT
Explores the role of adventure tourism managers when in emergency situations. Includes identifying hazards, hazard avoidance, emergency situation management, understanding the coordination incident management system and developing response plans.

904.016: ADVENTURE ACTIVITY AND EVENT PLANNING
An introduction to the principles and policies of developing, planning and implementing adventure activities. Learn event planning activities using various philosophical foundations of adventure programming and acquire knowledge by developing and planning an adventure activity. Topics include event planning for single and multi-day events and trip evaluation.

904.017: PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE
Delivered by the New Zealand St Johns First Aid, this course focuses on developing a comprehensive range of first aid skill required for the adventure tourism industry. Topics include shock advisory defibrillation, move and position patient in preparation for transportation, provide enhanced basic life support and provide extended first aid.

5. Resource Management

904.018: ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Examines the relationship between tourism activity and conservation issues, with special attention to the delicate balance between humans, tourism and the environment. Provides a comprehensive understanding of sustainable tourism. Topics include sustaining a business venture, community benefits, integrity and value of the business, respect for local culture and traditions, resource conservation, client satisfaction and quality over quantity concepts.

904.019: VISITOR IMPACT MANAGEMENT
Offers a comprehensive study of the impact of visitors on tourism and the concepts of sustainability. Includes minimising negative impacts of tourism and how management procedures can improve the experience for visitors while maintaining sustainability.

904.020: TOURISM LAW, LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT (RMA)
A comprehensive study of the legal issues that surround liability and risk management in adventure tourism. Includes The New Zealand legal system, owner liability, risk management and mitigation, insurance, legal releases and the development of risk management plans.

6. Work and Practical Experience

904.021, 904.022 & 904.027: INDUSTRY INTERNSHIP
Integrates the theory learned in the first levels of the programme with the practical application of on-the-job training. Learning is enhanced where employees work in teams, foster networks and participate in shared projects. This is an exciting and challenging part of the programme.

904.023: FAMILIARISATION VISITS
Outdoor skills components provide practical exposure to a variety of adventure tourism activities through in-depth study and participation. Activities can range from snowboarding, skiing, rock and ice climbing, kayaking, sailing, guiding etc, dependant on the time of year. Management issues of the activity will be reviewed to expand understanding of the subject.

904.024: OUTWARD BOUND
An eight-day outdoor experiential programme delivered by Outward Bound and held at Anakiwa in Malborough, New Zealand. This challenging and rewarding course builds confidence, increases focus and helps you realise your true potential.

904.025: CASE STUDY
Real life study of an existing adventure tourism operation. Includes visiting and evaluating the site, then recommending site and facility changes for the business to evolve into a stronger eco adventure tourism operation.

904.026: BUSINESS PROJECT
Designed to challenge students as managers and entrepreneurs of an adventure tourism activity, the business project will bring together all dimensions of managing a business venture. Students will use the knowledge and work done during papers 904.001 through to 904.025 to fully plan an adventure tourism business.